Camera with negative identification system

ABSTRACT

An automated film encoding and decoding system for bringing photographic film from the state of exposure to subject matter through all of the processes required to produce finished photos and package the same. The system includes an encoder coordinately operative with a camera for the placement of a human and machine readable code on the film the decoder capable of reading the code for the control of production-processing equipment in laboratories provided with such equipment. The human readability of the code accommodates production-processing of the film by attendant personnel and also allows for quality control check of automated production-processisng equipment. The encoding includes film frame identification information, subject matter information and registration mark information all of which may be utilized on a single exposure situation.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a division application based upon U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/147,672 filed Nov. 4, 1993 which is in turn adivision application of U.S. patent application having Ser. No.07/851,734 filed Mar. 16, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,950.

FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

This invention is not made under any Federally sponsored research ordevelopment arrangement nor under any other independently sponsoredresearch and development arrangement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of an automated filmcoding and encoding, film frame identification system for phototgraphicfilm for complete control thereof through the various laboratoryproduction steps of processing, editing, printing, cutting and packagingand more specifically to the application of a human and machine readablecode to the film at the instant of exposing the film to a selectedsubject which allows for such control.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides the method of encoding a process control,film frame identification code to photographic film accompanying theexposure of the film to a selected subject with the code utilizing bothhuman and machine recognizable characters and including a uniquedecoder-scanner capable of reading the applied code. Although applicableto short roll film, it is believed that the invention will have itsgreatest application to long roll film.

The encoding apparatus for applying the code to the film includes anelectronic, selectively controllable, imaging section located within acamera body, a lens-mirror section to transmit the programmed image tothe film, and a film magazine with film driving means. The code imagingsection includes a liquid crystal, programmable display section arrangedfor strobe light illumination with the programmed display beingtransmitted to the film plane and thus the film through the lens-mirror,periscope. The strobe light is camera controlled and may be energizedprevious to, simultaneously or subsequent to the opening of the shutterto capture the subject matter image and the transmitted code in closerelation to the image.

In the form illustrated, a ten position format has been selected andutilizing the liquid crystal programmable arrangement, each function iscapable of displaying ten numeric characters, 0 through 9, and isequally capable of providing non-confusing letter indicia at each of theten positions. Therefore, a complete numeric, alpha-numeric or completealpha, human or machine readable code may be provided.

In addition to the specific film frame identification code, the encodingprocess may include the transmission of human readable subjectinformation with the transmission of such information provided through asecond internal illumination source again utilizing the lens-mirror,periscope as provided for the primary code transmission.

The system may, in its most complete form, include the application of aseparate photo registration mark or marks which are transmitted to thefilm with the encoding thereof in a position adjacent or precedent tothe transmitted code to trigger operation of the automatic opticalscanner-decoding unit. The scanner may be coninually operable but thereading-decording function is actuated by the registration mark. Thisinclusion is of particular import when using long roll film where theactual film transfer through the camera body is not perfectlycoordinated to frame sizing.

The process includes the steps of exposing the film to a selectedsubject while exposing the film to the human and machine readable filmframe identification code and thereafter reading the code from the filmeither automatically or humanly to determine the various productionprocesses to which the film should be subjected for proper hsndlingthereof. Such production processes would normally include editing,printing, cutting and packaging. If all the processing equipment withina given lab were provided with such decoding optical scanners, theentire system could be machine controlled but the presence of the humanreadable code allows for the additional features of human monitoring orhuman operation at any point in the processing procedure.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In the evolvement of film processing through the use of automatedequipment, various identification, including film frame identification,code systems have been provided for placing a machine readable code ontothe film with the exposure of the film to the subject. These codesystems have primarily included machine-only readable code arrangements,such as bar, dot or perforate-location codes which do not allow forhuman interpretaion. Such code systems do not allow for humanimplementation or monitoring of the production-process systems andtherefore are not useable by labratories not equipped with machinereaders.

In the field of school photography where a single subject exposure mayresult in a plurality of uses for the resulting photograph and which mayrequire information related to the use, particularly the identificationof the student, a tracking system from exposure to final use is anecessity. In this particular example the student often purchases thephotos and he or she selects from various sizes and the system ideallyprovides a complete processing arrangement including the various schooluses and a selected package of photos for purchase.

The code application as provided herein accomodates a processing crosscheck and allows for automatic or human processing procedures.

The applicants of this invention are aware of various code systems whichcontrol film processing procedures but have found no such code systemsembodying both human and machine readable codes and a discussion ofprior patentable related devices is contained in a separate Prior ArtStatement.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an opticalencoding/decoding film processing system which includes the procedure ofencoding film with a human and machine readable code with the exposureof the film to a selected subject.

It is a further object of the present invention to encode a humanreadable code on film with the exposure of the film to a selectedsubject which encoding process sets forth the continuing film processingprocedures including editing, printing, cutting and packaging of thedeveloped film.

It is still a further object of the present invention to encode a humanreadable code onto film wherein the applied code includes a multipleposition code arrangement with each position capable of establishing asingle numeric or selected alphabetical figure.

It is still a further object of the present invention to encode a humanreadable code on a photographic film wherein the applied code includes amultiple position code and the code may include a single numeric figureor a non-confusing letter figure allowing human and machine decodingthereof.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a humanreadable film frame code on a photographic film wherein a registrationmark is provided in close association to the enscribed code forinitiating machine reading-decoder function.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome obvious from a consideration of the accompanying disclosure of apreferred embodiment of the invention made in association with theaccompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view taken through a camera as may beutilized in the practice of the invention, the camera arranged forencoding of film with a human and machine readable code as well asproviding personal identification and a frame registration mark on thefilm for complete laboratory processing of the film;

FIG. 2 is a view of a the human and machine readable identification codeillustrating ten figure positions;

FIG. 3 is a view of the an automatic film transport system including theoptical scanner-decoder for reading of the encoded film;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one procedure in utilization ofthe encoded film in controlling the continuing production-processingequipment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the process and identification code and theregistration mark arranged in conjunction with the subject matter imagein a first film format; and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the process and identificiation code andthe registration mark arranged in conjunction with the subject matterimage in a second film format.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED FORM OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the accompanying drawings, a camera unit adapted forthe purposes of the invention which include the tranfer of a human andmachine readable code to photographic film with the exposure of the filmto the subject matter for the continuing purposes of complete processingof the film including editing, printing, cutting and packaging isillustrated in the simplified cross sectional view of FIG. 1 and isgenerally designated 10. The camera unit includes a lens 11, camera body12 and detachable film magazine 13. The lens 11 includes any standardlens structure and is removably attached to the camera body 12. The filmmagazine 13 is similarly removably attached to the camera body 12 and,as is known in the art, is normally positionably on the body 12 in theposition as shown or at right angles thereto which position allows forwhat is known to the art as Split Frame spacing.

It should be stated at this time that the particular camera unit 10discussed and illustrated is usable for three different film widths,these being 35 mm, 46 mm, 70 mm. In addition, the camera unit 10 isusable with a number of different film frames including split formats inwhich the image is arranged transversely of the film rather than inlinear fashion.

The camera body 12 includes a mirror-shutter assembly 14 with the onlydeparture from such a conventional camera body being the code andidentification generation and transfer structure integral with the body12 and designated in its entirety 15. As illustrated, such generationand transfer section 15 includes a strobe light source 16 and reflector17 arranged to illuminate the encode device 18 with the light of thestrobe passing through the encode device 18 directed through bodyaperture 12a and then internally of the body 12 through a periscopearrangement 20 consisting of mirrors 21a, 21b and lens 21c to finallyimpinge upon and expose the film F located at the film plane 22 of thefilm magazine 13.

A secondary identification device may be utilized with the illustratedcamera body 12 and described transfer structure 15. This secondaryidentification device may be in the form of a subject identificationcard 23 insertable into housing 15 through a receiving slot 15a. Frontsurface illumination of card 23 is provided by a second strobe lightsource 24 and reflector 24a within the body 12. Light from the frontsurface of card 23 is again transmitted through the periscope 20arrangement consisting of mirrors 21a, 21b and lens 21c to the film F.

Obviously, timing of the energization of the strobe lights 16, 24 iscoordinated with the lens/shutter function and the second strobe 24 willnot be activated unless a card 22 is positioned within the housing slot15a.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 the film magazine 13 includes a housingpositionably receivable upon the camera body 12 and includes thenormally provided film transport mechanisms therein. These filmtransport mechanisms include a supply roll 26, a take up roll 27, aidler roll 28 and a metering roller 29 for transporting the film fromsupply to takeup. The mechanism for holding the film F against thecamera body 12 in image receiving position includes a pressure platestructure 30 and a pressure applying solenoid 31 and spring 32combination.

The encoding structure 18 includes the LCD arrangement as illustrated inFIG. 2. The particular LCD arrangement illustrated is designed for thespecific intentions of the invention and is not commercially available.For the particular purposes of decoding and figure recognition, thecharacters developed are formed with seven distinct segment incrementswith each of the increments providing what may be comparatively bestated to be of greater width and shorter longitudinal dimension than anormal segment. The result is a relatively wider and squatter characterwhich increases the recognizability thereof by the decoder-scanner unit.The LCD unit 18, in the form shown, includes the display leg 35 havingthe preferred ten figure array 36 thereon and each FIG. 36 is formedwith, in this preferred form a maximum of seven segments. Obviously anelectronic programming device which may include a keyboard (not shown)is utilized to energize the characters of the array 36 to be displayedand transmitted to the film F. As illustrated, the ten position array 36allows numbers or non-confusing letters to be formed through the LCDunit 18 for their illumination by the strobe light source 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, only the display leg portion 35 is illustratedin its entirety with a downwardly depending leg 37 being illustrative ofa mounting and electronic conducting portion.

The LCD encoding arrangement as describe and illustrated then providesten individual figures capable of producing ten individual digits, 0-9,as well as letters which are not confusingle similar to such numbers butboth of which are capable of human and machine reading.

In addition to the alpha-numeric encoding available through LCD unit 18and the identification available through utilization of card 23,applicants have provided for the application of a registration mark tothe film for energizing the decoder-scanner device on a limited basiscorresponding to that time when such code is within the decoder readarea.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a film exposing element such as an LED 35 ispositioned adjacent the aforementioned film plane 22 and thus the film Fand is energized, for example, with the energization of the strobelights 16, 24. The energization of this LED 35 places a registrationmark 40 upon the film thus referencing the location of the encodedmaterial and when the film is passed through the scanner-decoder 45,mark 40 will trigger the decoder to begin interpreting and thus decodingof the transmitted and placed processing code for, for example, storagethereof or direct control of operative equipment to continue filmoperations to final packaging.

The concept of the registration mark 40 is of particular import whenusing long roll film. Metering of long roll film is not always accurateand the simultaneous placement of this registration mark 40 along withcode and subject matter placement eliminates metering discrepancies.

To this point, the applicant has provided both an LCD array and an LEDuseage. It should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the LCDarray could be replaced by an LED unit but it is also well known thatthe electronics required by a comparable LED system would besubstantially complex and would require more space than a comparable LCDsystem. However, the application should not be limmited by the preferreddescription of an LCD or LED arrangement in that the primary aspect ofthe invention is in the encoding of a human and machine readable codeupon the film with the subsequent decoding thereof.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate respective positions of the image, encodedprocessing code, subject matter identification information and theregistration marking in two specific film formats. FIG. 5 illustratessuch images in a 35 MM, 45 MM and 70 MM format and FIG. 6 illustratesthe same in a split format.

In operation the LCD array 18 is loaded with the desired processing datafrom an electronic programming device and when the camera shutter istriggered, strobe 16 is coordinately triggered. Both images, subject andcode, are then, subject directly and code through periscope 20, directedto the film surface. If the subject identification card 22 is utilized,strobe 23 is likewise triggered and the subject information is alsotransmitted to the film through the periscope 20.

The optical scanner-decoder system is illustrated in FIG. 3 anddesignated in its entirety 45 with the scanner-decoder including anilluminator 46 and an optical system sensor and processor board 47located on opposite sides of the film with a supply 48 and take-up 49roller combination provided to advance the film. The system of FIG. 3illustrates a long roll, automatic film transport system including thesupply roll 48 and the take up roller 49 with intermediate guide rollers50a, 50b therebetween.

FIG. 3 is a composite illustration of film strips F1, F2 illustratingthe subject matter and accompanying encoded material in transverse andlongitudinal formats. The registration marks 40 which trigger thescanner-decoder operation are similarly illustrated on the film stripsF1, F2.

Obviously, the function of the illuminator 46 and optical sensor andproccessor board 47 is to machine read and decode the encodedinformation that has been provided to the film through the LCD encoderprocess. In this manner the numeric, alpha-numeric or alpha code isread.

The operational schematic of FIG. 4 illustrates the operational processof the system. The camera/imaging station provides the subject matterexposure and the encoding of material necessary for proper processingand includes the steps of LCD array programming which primarily controlscontinued processing, subject information and registration markplacement. After total film exposure to subject matter, the film isintroduced into the film drive transport for decoding by the opticalscanner-decoder. The film drive transport may be controlled by theregistration mark sensor or a sensor responsive to other indicia such asa notch or hole sensor. The film transport may be stopped for decodingor may continue its drive function, dependent upon the speed of theoptical scanner-decoder. The function of the optical scanner is toobviously decode the encoded information through pattern recognition andthrough microrocessing techniques the gathered information istransferable to a controller which then has the necessary information tocontrol the continuing production-processing equipment in, for example,the editting, printing, cutting and final packaging of the film andresulting subject matter photos. The information gathered by the opticalscanner-decoder may communicate directly with the controller or maystore such decoded information for further physical transfer of the sameto the production-processing equipment.

The system of FIG. 4 is dependent upon the particular lab facilities andnumber of automatic production-processing machines in the lab. Theimportant aspect of FIG. 4 is the coding of film by the camera-imagingsector and the decoding thereof through the optical scanner-decoder.

It has been stated that an LCD multi position array is provided. Itshould be obvious that an LED arrangement may be utilized but theelectronics required with an LED system are substantially more complexthan that required in an LCD arrangement. The application should not,however, be limited by the preferred description of an LCD arrangementin that the important aspect of the invention lies in the human andmachine readable encoding and decoding.

With the concepts of the invention, the presence of the human readablecode aspects should be obvious. If a lab is not equipped with equipmentcapable of reading and utilizing the code, persons will be able toproperly process the film through its required production-processingsteps. Similarly, quality control by allowing human inspection at anypoint in an automated process is often desirable.

It should be obvious that the invention includes the uniqueness ofencoding with human and machine readable characters as well as thescanner-decoding operation which allows for the continued automaticproduction-processing of film in accordance with preprogrammeddirectives.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera comprising:a camera body defining a filmplane; a lens, mounted to said camera body; a film magazine fortransporting film to said film plane, said film magazine containingfilm, said film and said film plane defining an image area; anelectronic identification generator located, in said camera body, havingan encoder device, said encoder device for forming a alphanumeric dataimage; a periscope, located in said camera body for transferring saiddata image from said encoder device on to said film adjacent said imagearea.
 2. The camera of claim 1, wherein said periscope comprises a firstmirror and a second mirror located proximate said image area.
 3. Thecamera of claim 2, wherein said periscope further comprises:a lenselement located between said first mirror and said second mirror.
 4. Thecamera of claim 1, wherein said identification generator includes aliquid crystal display (LCD).
 5. The camera of claim 1, wherein saididentification generator includes a light emitting diode display (LED).6. The camera of claim 1, wherein said film magazine includes a firstidler roller and a second metering roller for transporting film pastsaid image area.
 7. The camera of claim 6 wherein said film magazinefurther comprises:a supply roll rotating in a first direction and atake-up reel rotating in a second direction which is not the samedirection as said first direction.
 8. The camera of claim 1 wherein saidfilm magazine further includes a solenoid and a spring for pressing aplate against said film defining a planar film surface at said imagearea.